Okay, I have a customer whose ancient Alcatel 1000ADSL modem went out. AT&Tsays that I should replace it with a Netgear 6200. Fine. Only trouble isthat I can't find one. I'd like to buy a new 6200 locally, but can't findit.

The Netgear DM200 is SUPPOSED to work with AT&T's POTS ADSL, but it doesn't.AT&T can't see it. It's even written on the box and documentation tha theDM200 works, but it's not on AT&T's list.

The folks at Best Buy are astonished that the DM200 is not compatible. Soam I. Best Buy has nothing else. Everything else is either for Uverse orcable TV, not for AT&T's ADSL.

Can anyone tell me what other modems are compatible with the 6200 or theAlcatel 1000ADSL? I'd hate to buy another modem and have it not work,either. And where am I going to get the 6200?

Of course, AT&T doesn't want to hassle with POTS ADSL any longer. The onlything they'll do from their end is replace the POTS service with fiber. Mycustomer doesn't want to wait a week to get fiber. She wanted her servicefixed today. Now I have until Wednesday.

Post by David KayeOkay, I have a customer whose ancient Alcatel 1000ADSL modem went out. AT&Tsays that I should replace it with a Netgear 6200.

Huh? Do you mean a Netgear R6200? That's a wireless router with nosign of a DSL modem inside.

Post by David KayeThe Netgear DM200 is SUPPOSED to work with AT&T's POTS ADSL, but it doesn't.AT&T can't see it. It's even written on the box and documentation tha theDM200 works, but it's not on AT&T's list.

The DM200 does VDSL, VDSL2, ADSL2+, etc and is allegedly compatiblewith AT&T DSL. However, way back in the stone age of DSL (about1999), AT&T was provisioning their original Alcatel 1000 modems withnon-standard VPI/VCI settings. Later modems were suppose to scan allthe possible VPI/VCI settings to find the one that worked. I've seenit fail. Default is now 8/35 but the old Alcatel might be somethingdifferent. If you can get it back to working, dive in with a webbrowser and write down the settings.<https://zoomtel.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/212404803-What-are-the-VPI-VCI-and-Encapsulation-settings-for-my-local-U-S-DSL-Provider->

This might also help:<http://kb.netgear.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22005/~/how-to-manually-configure-the-adsl-settings-on-a-netgear-dsl-gateway-with-smart>which is a nice way of Netgear admitting that the automatic settingsdon't always work.

My guess(tm) is that in the process of "helping" you replace themodem, AT&T tweaked the provisioning. Just a guess. Have them readoff to you what the VPI/VCI should be according to their settings andtry setting it up manually.

It's also helpful to look at the diagnostic log, and see where thingsstarted to fail.

Incidentally, I stock used Netgear DM111PSPv2 modems. The powersupplies burn out after about 5 years, but are otherwise quitereliable.

Post by Jeff LiebermannHuh? Do you mean a Netgear R6200? That's a wireless router with nosign of a DSL modem inside.

Nope. This is confusing, I know. It's simply the "Netgear 6200", a modemwith no router. It was in common use for years with AT&T. Here's a link toAT&T's page that describes and shows it:https://www.att.com/accessories/specialty-items/netgear-dsl-modem-model-6200.html

Allegedly, but not. It's funny, the old Alcatel can be seen at AT&T's endbut not at the computer end. The DM200 can be seen at the computer's endbut not at AT&T's end. In fact, the tech asked me, "Are you sure it'sconnected?" She then told me that the DM200 is not on her list ofcompatible modems. She recommended the Netgear or Westel 6200, apparentlythe exact same product. Another option was the Netgear 7550 modem/router.Can't find that, either.

Post by Jeff LiebermannHuh? Do you mean a Netgear R6200? That's a wireless router with nosign of a DSL modem inside.

Nope. This is confusing, I know. It's simply the "Netgear 6200", a modemwith no router. It was in common use for years with AT&T. Here's a link tohttps://www.att.com/accessories/specialty-items/netgear-dsl-modem-model-6200.html

Strange. I've never seen that model. Googling for it finds only thatlink.

Allegedly, but not. It's funny, the old Alcatel can be seen at AT&T's endbut not at the computer end. The DM200 can be seen at the computer's endbut not at AT&T's end.

Are you getting a carrier light on the modem? My guess, based uponmaking this mistake a few times, is that the cable, modem jack, orboth are wired for Line 2 instead of the usual Line 1.

Post by David KayeIn fact, the tech asked me, "Are you sure it'sconnected?" She then told me that the DM200 is not on her list ofcompatible modems.

The DM200 is relatively new and was release in June 2016 (based on thedate in the user manual). I would not expect AT&T to have "approved"it quite yet.

Post by David KayeShe recommended the Netgear or Westel 6200, apparentlythe exact same product.

Huh? The equivalent Westell modem is a 6100.<http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=westell+6100>I probably have one, but the last time I tried it on an AT&T DSL line,it didn't connect. Not recommended.

Post by David KayeAnother option was the Netgear 7550 modem/router.Can't find that, either.

That's what AT&T was pushing until about 2 years ago. I have a few ofthem.<https://www.att.com/accessories/specialty-items/netgear-dsl-gateway-model-7550.html>Well, I found one. Looks new but my tag says untested.Also, search eBay for GADSL.<http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=gadsl><https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/sss?sort=rel&query=netgear%207550>Unless you're driving through Santa Cruz, there's no way I can get itto you by Weds. I'll throw it in my car just in case you'redesperate. If I snail mail it, next week at best.

Post by David KayeThat's the problem; the Alcatel does not respond at all to the computer.

Ok, blown ethernet transformer. Been there a few times.

Post by David KayeI'll phone AT&T and ask if that's on their list of modems for this POTSservice. Sheesh...what a hassle.

Post by Jeff LiebermannAre you getting a carrier light on the modem? My guess, based uponmaking this mistake a few times, is that the cable, modem jack, orboth are wired for Line 2 instead of the usual Line 1.

The jack has worked successfully for the 10 years I've been supporting thiscustomer. It only quit when I plugged in her computer after doing some workon it. Again, with the Alcatel, AT&T can see it but the computer can't.With the DM200, the computer can see it but AT&T can't.

Post by Jeff LiebermannUnless you're driving through Santa Cruz, there's no way I can get itto you by Weds. I'll throw it in my car just in case you'redesperate. If I snail mail it, next week at best.

Thanks, but I'll just buy locally. Much as I like visiting Santa Cruz, Idon't have the time this week. If the DM111PSP doesn't work, I'll justrecommend she get Comcast, which I'd been recommending for years.

Post by Jeff LiebermannAre you getting a carrier light on the modem? My guess, based uponmaking this mistake a few times, is that the cable, modem jack, orboth are wired for Line 2 instead of the usual Line 1.

The jack has worked successfully for the 10 years I've been supporting thiscustomer. It only quit when I plugged in her computer after doing some workon it. Again, with the Alcatel, AT&T can see it but the computer can't.With the DM200, the computer can see it but AT&T can't.

As I vaguely recall, the Alcatel 1000 modem used the pins for Line 2.Plug an ordinary POTS phone into the end of the cord where the modemplugs in. If you don't get dialtone, it's wired for Line 2.

Manual<http://www.abusar.org.br/manuais/manual%20alcatel%20A1000.pdf>Near the bottom of the document are the pinouts. It shows that thephone line is connected to Pin 2 and 5 on the 6 pin RJ14 connector.That's Line 2. If you unplug the flat cable from the wall jack, myguess(tm) is that you have one end wired for Line 1 and the other endfor Line 2. (Note: This is also a problem for early Cayman DSLrouters).

Post by David KayeThanks, but I'll just buy locally. Much as I like visiting Santa Cruz, Idon't have the time this week. If the DM111PSP doesn't work, I'll justrecommend she get Comcast, which I'd been recommending for years.

Post by Jeff LiebermannAs I vaguely recall, the Alcatel 1000 modem used the pins for Line 2.Plug an ordinary POTS phone into the end of the cord where the modemplugs in. If you don't get dialtone, it's wired for Line 2.Manual<http://www.abusar.org.br/manuais/manual%20alcatel%20A1000.pdf>

Yup, sure enough it says RJ14, which is the two-pair setup (3 and 4 for line1 and 2 and 5 for line 2). So, now I understand what was going on. TheAlcatel 1000ADSL was plugged into the "data" jack and a phone was pluggedinto the "phone" jack. All along I had assumed that both were on the centerpair (RJ11) and the difference was a frequency splitter. But this doesn'texplain why I got battery on the phone jack but not on the data jack. Ijust figured that a filter was passing only the data and not the POTSbattery. Instead, the jack itself had split connections. I got down on thefloor behind the desk and unscrewed the cover of the jack and it was veryconfusing. All connections were punched down inside the little box and itlooked very complicated.

I tested the "phone" jack with the Alcatel and the new Netgear DM111 andneither of them would connect even though my tester showed battery (polarityreversed, though it shouldn't matter). I tried to explain what was goingon, but the inability to get data over the conventional "phone" jack wasmystifying as I didn't see a filter anywhere in the office unless it washidden in the phone jack.

My client came back into the office, saw me sprawled out on the floor andsaid, "Okay, that's it. I'm going to subscribe to Comcast. This is tooconfusing." So, she's ordering Comcast. Three more days, and now I have toreturn yet another modem, the 111. Central Computer charges a restockingfee, but maybe they'll waive it. Or I might hang onto it in case I getanother DSL customer with a problem, but nearly everyone has migrated tocable broadband...

I made two visits about this aspect and I doubt I can rightfully charge formy time. Funny that the AT&T folks didn't have any info on the uniquenessof the connection or any info on how to fix things.

David Kaye <***@yahoo.com> wrote:+---------------| Yup, sure enough it says RJ14, which is the two-pair setup| (3 and 4 for line 1 and 2 and 5 for line 2). So, now I| understand what was going on. The Alcatel 1000ADSL was| plugged into the "data" jack and a phone was plugged into| the "phone" jack....| Funny that the AT&T folks didn't have any info on the| uniqueness of the connection or any info on how to| fix things.+---------------

Depending on your DSL provider, that used to be a very commonmethod of provisioning. For example, my original bonded-ISDNservice from AT&T [paid by my PPoE] was done with a separate"dry pair" [no battery] to the CO, with a separate POTS line,and two-line inside jacks like those you describe. That continuedwhen I was switched to Rhythms by said PPoE, then later topaying for my own SDSL from Speakeasy [now merged with Covadand Megapath into Megapath]. *All* of these used a separatedry pair to the CO for the DSL, and thus had no need for filters.

Not until I switched to Sonic's "Fusion" service did I sharemy POTS line with the DSL [ADSL2+], and thus need filters.

Post by Jeff LiebermannAs I vaguely recall, the Alcatel 1000 modem used the pins for Line 2.Plug an ordinary POTS phone into the end of the cord where the modemplugs in. If you don't get dialtone, it's wired for Line 2.Manual<http://www.abusar.org.br/manuais/manual%20alcatel%20A1000.pdf>

Yup, sure enough it says RJ14, which is the two-pair setup (3 and 4 for line1 and 2 and 5 for line 2). So, now I understand what was going on. TheAlcatel 1000ADSL was plugged into the "data" jack and a phone was pluggedinto the "phone" jack.

Maybe. As I vaguely recall, both jacks have L1 (voice) connectedtogether, but L2 (data) only goes to the data jack. Swappingconnections won't work.

Post by David KayeAll along I had assumed that both were on the centerpair (RJ11) and the difference was a frequency splitter.

Nope. Note that in the bad old daze of the Alcatel 1000 (about 1998),the common practice was to install a whole house DSL splitter, usuallymade by Siecor, at the MPOE (minimum point of entry), and run adedicated pair from the splitter to the modem data port.

Post by David KayeBut this doesn'texplain why I got battery on the phone jack but not on the data jack.

Dunno. It should have been on both ports (unless my memory of howthey were wired is faulty). I don't have an Alcatel 1000 handy tocheck and the manual isn't very helpful.

Post by David KayeIjust figured that a filter was passing only the data and not the POTSbattery. Instead, the jack itself had split connections. I got down on thefloor behind the desk and unscrewed the cover of the jack and it was veryconfusing. All connections were punched down inside the little box and itlooked very complicated.I tested the "phone" jack with the Alcatel and the new Netgear DM111 andneither of them would connect even though my tester showed battery (polarityreversed, though it shouldn't matter). I tried to explain what was goingon, but the inability to get data over the conventional "phone" jack wasmystifying as I didn't see a filter anywhere in the office unless it washidden in the phone jack.

It's the L1 and L2 problem again. The cable coming from the wall jackhas the DSL signal on L2. The DM111 is looking for data on L1. I'mlazy and carry a few L1 to L2 adapters for such problems.

Post by David KayeMy client came back into the office, saw me sprawled out on the floor andsaid, "Okay, that's it. I'm going to subscribe to Comcast. This is tooconfusing." So, she's ordering Comcast. Three more days, and now I have toreturn yet another modem, the 111. Central Computer charges a restockingfee, but maybe they'll waive it. Or I might hang onto it in case I getanother DSL customer with a problem, but nearly everyone has migrated tocable broadband...

Well, you tried.

Post by David KayeI made two visits about this aspect and I doubt I can rightfully charge formy time.

Yeah, that's the problem with changing strategy. The customereffectively gets billed twice and usually doesn't like it. From herpoint of view, you FAILED to get her DSL working, and therefore sheshould not be paying for the labor involved. (No play, no pay). Iusually have to settle for half my hourly rate, or less.

Post by David KayeFunny that the AT&T folks didn't have any info on the uniquenessof the connection or any info on how to fix things.

I don't think there's anyone left at AT&T that even knows what anAlcatel 1000 modem looks like. It was a piece of junk when it wasintroduced and gave me quite a few headaches. The various wiring andprovisioning standards hadn't been ossified at the time and thingswere changing. The Alcatel 1000 was no better than a prototype. I'mreally surprised that your customer still had one in operation. Ifyou called AT&T DSL support in the distant past, they would usuallyrefuse to support the Alcatel 1000 and demand that the customer get anew modem. The problem was that they couldn't do remote diagnosticswith the Alcatel 1000 and some of the other early modems.

Post by Jeff LiebermannIncidentally, I stock used Netgear DM111PSPv2 modems. The powersupplies burn out after about 5 years, but are otherwise quitereliable.

It turns out that Central Computer has the NetGear DM111PSP, so I'm going todrop by there and pick up one. If this doesn't work then I'm going to tellmy customer, sorry you're SOL, go with Comcast. I hate AT&T with a passionanyway...

Post by Jeff LiebermannIncidentally, I stock used Netgear DM111PSPv2 modems. The powersupplies burn out after about 5 years, but are otherwise quitereliable.

It turns out that Central Computer has the NetGear DM111PSP, so I'm going todrop by there and pick up one. If this doesn't work then I'm going to tellmy customer, sorry you're SOL, go with Comcast. I hate AT&T with a passionanyway...

Make sure it's the v2 version and that it's loaded with the latestfirmware. For some reason long forgotten, I've avoided the v1version. As I vaguely recall, v1 sorta works on long drops (over 3miles) but the v2 version works better. I had a few where I needed tosqueeze all the performance out of the modem and found the v2 versionto be the best.